Therapeutic hydro-massage device



United States Patent I inventor Edwin F. Clements 680 Alexander Way, Palm Springs, California 92262 App]. No. 649,558

Filed June 28, 1967 Patented Sept. 15, 1970 THERAPEUTIC HYDRO-MASSAGE DEVICE 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 128/66, 4/180 Int. Cl. A6lh 9/00 Field of Search 128/65 67; 4/ 178, 180

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,982,259 11 1934 Martin 4/180 2,447,123 8/1948 Jones 128/66UX FOREIGN PATENT 558,180 9/1932 Germany 128/66 ABSTRACT: A flexible massage cup is provided with a plurality of fluid conduits to supply selected combinations of water and/or air to the massage cup. One conduit supplies the primary water stream while another provides air for aerating the water or recirculates water from the tub into the primary stream. The conduits are flexible to allow movement of the cup for massage purposes and to permit manipulation of the secondary conduit in order to supply either air or water as desired.

Patented Sept. 15, 1970 3,528,411

INVENTOR.

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THERAPEUTIC HYDRO-MASSAGE DEVICE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION The subject matter of this application is in the nature of an improvement on my co-pending application, Ser. No. 581,555 filed September 23, 1966 for Hydro-Therapeutic Massage Device and now Pat. No. 3,426,750 which contains generic claims.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to therapeutic devices, and more especially to those of the fluid or hydromassage type.

Massage has been demonstrated to be of great benefit to persons suffering from a wide variety of physical ailments, as well as a beneficial way to release nervous tension and to improve morale. Injuries such as sprains and sore muscles are greatly benefited by massage and the application of heat; and it has long been recognized that a sense of general well being can be imparted to an individual as a result of the stimulation and improved circulation brought about by a general massage of the body. It is becoming increasingly recognized that chronic disorders, such as arthritis and rheumatism, cannot only be relieved on a short term basis but can be treated with significant success and improvement by continued and persistent massage.

Especially when it is desired to continue treatment over an extended period of time is it desired that a massage device be a simple one which can be operated entirely by the person receiving the massage without the need of any assistance from another person. A unit that employs water as a massage medium makes it economically feasible for people with chronic problems to treat themselves daily, or even oftener, over a long period of time without resorting to institutional or professional assistance.

It is also recognized that massage accompanied by heat applied to the area being massaged is particularly beneficial since the heat relaxes the muscles and stimulates the circulation, thus adding to the benefit derived by the user.

It has been discovered that the massage action of the hydromassage unit disclosed in my co-pending application can be improved as a massage medium by aerating the stream of water. The addition of air to the fluid stream produces an added stimulation to the skin that is beneficial.

Also, it has been found that water can be conserved, especially when hot water is used, as is normally the case by providing a part of the water used for massage from the body of water around the patient. Recirculation of water in this manner reduces the demand on a hot water source and reduces the total amount of fresh water consumed.

Consequently, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a hydro-massage device that can be applied to any area of the human body and which can be used effectively over either a small area or a relatively large area of the patients body.

A further object to the invention is to devise an improved hydro-massage device that is versatile in its application, allows aeration of the water stream or recirculation of water, and affords maximum utility and benefit t the user at comparatively low cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a hydro-massage device adapted to be used submerged in a body of liquid and having a generally bell-shaped housing which defines and partly encloses a chamber open at one side to the area on the patients body to be massaged, the device being characterized by primary conduit means connecting the housing to a source of liquid under pressure, nozzle means inside the chamber directing the stream of liquid in a continuous jet toward the open side of the housing, and secondary conduit means introducing a secondary fluid-stream into the primary liquid at a selected location upstream from the open side of the housing. Both conduit means are flexible tubing permitting a satisfactory range of movement of the housing and also allowing a change in the disposition of the secondary conduit means so that either air or water can be drawn into the housing. Aspiration of air into the housing or into the primary fluid stream at any point provides a fluid mixture of air and water which is particularly stimulating and beneficial as a massage medium; while recirculation of water from the tub through the housing reduces the nuisance and cost of adding a substantial quantity of water to the body of water in which the patient is using the massage device. This is of some consequence when a large amount of hot water is used as a result of massage for an extended period of time.

The secondary conduit means may be connected either to the housing above the discharge end of the nozzle in the housing or connected to the.prim ary conduit means upstream from the housing. In the latter case, the primary conduit means are provided with injector means which, like the jet within the housing, create a zone of relatively lowered pressure which aspirates either air or water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING How the above objects and advantages of the invention, as

well as others not specifically mentioned, are attained will be 4 DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, it will be seen that the massage device illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a housing or massage cup indicated generally at 10. This housing is generally bell-shaped in outline and defines an interior chamber 11 that is open at one side, as indicated at 12 in FIG. 2, to bring the fluid in chamber 1 I into contact with an area on a patients body to be massaged. The housing is preferably of rubber or other flexible material so that it can be deformed somewhat to conform to the contour of the area on a patients body to be massaged. At the side of the housing opposite the open side 12, the housing is provided with primary conduit means 15 for connecting the housing to a source of liquid under pressure, such liquid being introduced into the housing in what will be referred to as the primary stream of liquid. Typically, this conduit means comprises a flexible tube or hose which is connected at one end to housing 10 by any suitable type of coupling 16. Conduit 15 is normally attached at the other end in any suitable manner to a pipe .or faucet, or spout 17 supplying water to bathtub 18 or any similar container holding a body of water 20. The massage device of the present invention is adapted to be used submerged in the body of water 20. For this purpose, the size of the body of liquid is not critical and the container 18 may be as large as a swimming pool.

Ordinarily, the patient is immersed in a bathtub to which water is supplied by faucet or spout 17. The supply of water to the spout or faucet is typically controlled by a pair of valves 22 which regulate the flow of hot and cold water. It is obviously advantageous to attach the primary conduit to a source as at 17, that is supplied with both hot and cold water since in this way the individual valves 22 controlling the water supply can regulate not only the temperature of the water introduced into housing 10, but also the rate of water flow to the housing. Although entirely optional, it may be advantageous to provide an additional valve 23 in the primary conduit means adjacent massage housing 10 where the valve is more conveniently located.

Coupling 16 connects the conduit to housing 10 at a point such that the incoming water passes through an open and unrestricted inlet passage 24 which is of reduced diameter in nozzle 25. Thus the flow of water through passage 24 and issuing from nozzle 25 issues in a jet of substantial velocity which is directed toward the open side 12 of the housing.

Nozzle 25 typically terminates a short distance away from the open side 12, for example in the range of 1% to 1V2 inches, so that it is spaced always from the body of the user by this distance. Typically, but without limitation to any particular dimension, the open side of the housing is about 3 inches in diameter. This size encompasses a satisfactorily large area on the patients body without being so large that it dissipates the agitation of the fluid within chamber 1 l. The edge of the housing around opening 12 preferably has a rounded edge to improve contact with the patients body.

The diameter of the open side 12 is considerably larger than the diameter of the housing at the level of the end of nozzle 1 25, so that the housing may be generally characterized as being of increasing cross-sectional area between the nozzle and the open side. While the outwardly diverging walls of the housing, as shown, is preferred, the invention is not limited to this exact shape.

However, the size of the opening is such that on some of the larger areas of a patients body the cup would come in contact with the body entirely around the rim of opening 12, if the rim were planar. Since this full contact is undesirable, it is preferred to provide a shallow recess 26 at each of two opposite sides of the cup in the rim of opening 12. These recesses have purposes which will be discussed more fully later.

A secondary or auxiliary conduit means is provided in the form of flexible tube 30 which, in one arrangement as shown in FIG. 1, generally parallels the primary conduit means 15. The secondary conduit 30 has one end connected to housing 10 at a point such that the tube discharges a secondary stream of fluid into the housing at a position that is above the end of nozzle 25 when the unit is erect, as in FIG. 2. From a functional standpoint, the point of discharge of the secondary tube into the housing is upstream from the discharge end of nozzle 25 and open side 12 of the housing.

The length of flexible tube 30 is such that the inlet end of the tube extends above the level of the body of water 20. It is convenient to fasten the two tubes together by clips 32, or other suitable means; and this arrangement has the advantage that the upper end of tube 30 is held above the water level in tub 18. However, as will be further explained, the inlet end of tube 30 may be released from the upper clip 32 and the end of the tube placed beneath the water level, if desired.

In typical use, the patient sits or lies in tub 18, or the like, which holds a body of water 20 so that the body area to be massaged is fully immersed in water and housing 10 is at least in part submerged. The water flow and temperature are then adjusted by valves 22 and the housing is pressed against the body of the user with open side 12 of the housing over the body area to be massaged. The contact between the housing and the body of the patient restricts the area through which fluid can be discharged from housing 10. While the total discharge area may exceed that provided by the two recesses 26, the recesses insure that at least some minimum area is normallyavailable for discharge of water.

The water constituting the primary stream of liquid entering housing 10 issues from nozzle 25 in a steady, continuous jet, flowing in the direction of open side 12. This water fills interior chamber 11 and is agitated by the jet issuing from nozzle 25. This body of moving water is in contact with the area to be massaged and becomes the massaging medium. v

When the housing is in normal full contact with the patients body, the fluid issuing from chamber 11 leaves housing 10 through recesses 26. The restriction thereby imposed upon fluid flow, increases its exit velocity and thereby creates a low pressure zone within the housing. This low pressure zone aspirates air into the housing through the secondary conduit 30. The air enters the housing and is thoroughly mixed with the water in chamber 11. The result is a fluid mixture of water and air that is brought into contact with the area to be massaged.

The presence of bubbles of air in the liquid stream has a stimulating effect upon the patient that is in addition to the effect of a water stream alone, and as a consequence the aerated stream of water has found often to be superior in its therapeutic action and benefits.

While a primary purpose of the secondary conduit is to aspirate air to provide an aerated body of fluid in contact with the patients body, it also provides a means for recirculating water from the tub 18. When the upper or inlet end of the conduit is below the water level, as indicated at 30a in FIG. I, water is aspirated into housing 10 instead of air. This has the advantage that when the massage is carried on over a long period of time the quantity of water added to tub 18 by operation of the massage unit is greatly reduced since a portion of the total water is that recirculated from the tub. This enables the user to conserve hot water for example, and reduces or may even eliminate the need for periodically releasing water from tub 18 to keep the water level from rising undesirably high.

A third function is also obtained from tubing 30 in that it acts as a pressure relief by-pass in the event that for any reason the open side 12 of housing 10 should become completely closed, thus preventing outflow of water or other fluid at this point. Should this occur, pressure builds up within the housing and is relieved by flow upward and outwardly through conduit 30. This arrangement is in the nature of a safety feature and makes it unnecessary to be concerned about whether the massage cup is pressed too tightly against the patients body. This is true, although it is still most effective as a massage unit when water escapes from the cup between it and the patients body as described above. The best massage action is obtained when the fluid is escaping at open side 12, as the low pressure zone created thereby aspirates air or water, as desired, into the housing to produce the most beneficial massage effect.

The recesses 26 direct the outgoing fluid stream generally parallel to the surface of the patients body, thus extending the effective area of the massage.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIATIONAL EMBODIMENTS There is shown in FIG. 3 a variational embodiment of the present invention in which only a single conduit means is attached directly to housing 10. Here the primary conduit means 35 is connected to the upper end of housing 10 at coupling 16, as previously described. The other or inlet end of the conduit means is attached to spout 17. At a point intermediate the ends of the conduit means, there is placed injector 36 which is a well known type of unit having a constricted throat or venturi which creates within the injector a zone of relatively lowered pressure. At this zone there is a lateral fitting 37 to which is attached the secondary conduit means 38. As before, both conduits 35 and 38 are flexible hoses or tubing permitting them to be moved around at will in order to accommodate the patient. I-Iere, conduit 38 is indicated as being arranged with its open inlet end beneath the surface of the body of liquid 20 so that water is aspirated by injector 36 into the primary stream of fluid flowing through conduit 35. Alternatively, the flexible nature of tubing 35 permits the inlet end of the tube to be attached to primary conduit 35 by a clip 40, or otherwise positioned, so that the end of the tube is held above the water level, as indicated at 38a in FIG. 3. The secondary conduit can be disposed in either manner accordingly as it is desired to recirculate water from the body of water 20 or to aspirate air to provide an aerated massage medium.

It will be understood without further discussion that the alternative embodiment of FIG. 3 functions and is used in the same manner as previously described.

It will be self-evident without additional illustration that the secondary conduit means of FIG. 1 can also be added to the embodiment of FIG. 3. This latter arrangement would permit conduit 30 to be always maintained in the position of FIG. 1 to aspirate air into housing 10. Conduit means 38 would then be used to recirculate water from body 20, the conduit occupying the position illustrated in FIG. 3. Since such a massage device would have two secondary conduit means, both air and water can be simultaneously added to the primary liquid stream by the different conduits at different points along the primary liquid stream.

1 claim:

l. A therapeutic hydro-massage device adapted to be used submerged in a body of liquid, comprising:

a generally bell-shaped housing defining and partly enclosing a chamber open at one side to the body area to be massaged;

primary conduit means connecting the housing to a source of liquid under pressure to introduce into the housing a primary stream of liquid;

nozzle means inside the chamber directing the stream of liquid in a continuous jet toward the open side of the housing;

secondary conduit means introducing a secondary fluid stream into the primary liquid at a location upstream from the open side of the housing; whereby the chamber is filled with fluid and agitated by the incoming jet to massage the area of a patients body exposed to said opening; and

the housing including means at the rim of the housing to allow escape of the combined streams of fluid from the chamber when the housing is in contact with the body of a patient. I

2. A therapeutic hydro-massage device as claimed in claim 1 in which the secondary conduit means are connected to the housing above the discharge end of the nozzle.

3. A therapeutic hydro-massage device as claimed in claim 2 in which the inlet end of the secondary conduit extends above the level of the body of liquid in which the device is located to admit air to the primary stream and is flexible to enable the inlet end thereof to be placed below the level of the body of liquid to admit liquid from said body to the primary stream.

4. A therapeutic hydro-massage device as claimed in claim 1 in which the secondary conduit means are connected to the primary conduit means upstream of the housing.

5. A therapeutic hydro-massage device as claimed in claim 1 in which the bell-shaped housing has flexible walls and is of increasing cross-section beyond the nozzle and in the direction of the open side.

6. A therapeutic hydro-massage device as claimed in claim 5 in which the secondary conduit means is connected to the housing and introduces air into the housing whereby the housing contains a self-aerating fluid massage medium.

7. A therapeutic hydro-massage device adapted to be used submerged in the body of liquid, comprising:

a generally bell-shaped housing defining and partly enclosing a chamber open at one side to the body area to be massaged;

primary conduit means connecting the housing to a source of liquid under pressure to introduce into the housing a primary stream of liquid;

nozzle means inside the chamber directing the stream of liquid in a continuous jet toward the open side of the housing; and

secondary conduit means introducing a secondary stream of liquid into the primary liquid, said secondary conduit means being connected to the housing and communicating with the surrounding body of liquid whereby the housing recirculates liquid from the body of liquid in which it is submerged and the chamber .is filled with liquid and agitated by the incoming jet to massage the area of a patients body exposed to said opening.

8. A therapeutic hydro-massage device as claimed in claim 7 in which the bell-shaped housing has flexible walls and is of increasing cross-section beyond the nozzle and in the direction of the open side of the housing. 

